Distribution,Abundance and Life Cycles of Oligochaeta from the Marine Hygropsammal with Special Reference to the Phallodrilinae (Tubificidae)

Tubificid and enchytraeid oligochaetes are common members of the interstitial fauna of sandy beaches. Their abundance dynamics, life cycles and distribution patterns were investigated at two beaches on the western Baltic Sea and at a North Sea beach (Isle of Sylt). Populations of 115,000 ind./m² were found at protected Baltic beaches. Reproduction of the tubificids, Phallodrilus monospermathecus and Spiridion insigne takes place within a well defined breeding period once a year. The market horizontal and vertical distribution patterns of various tubificid and enchytraeid species are elucidated by preference reactions to several physiographic parameters, such as oxygen and water content of the sediment, and salinity.     

The distribution of oligochaetes in the Haringvliet-Hollands Diep (Delta region of the Netherlands) before and after the closure in 1970

Summary Samples, collected from 1959 to 1970, were used to describe the distribution and ecology of some oligochaetes in the Delta region. In the brackish and marine parts of the estuary the following species were found;Tubifex costatus, T. pseudogaster, Peloscolex benedeni andMonopylephorus rubroniveus. The other identified species were more or less euryhaline-freshwater organisms. The distribution pattern of these species was correlated with salinity and sediment. The species had a wider chlorinity tolerance than reported in the literature. The preference ofPeloscolex benedeni for clay sediments was due to low oxygen or hydrogensulfide conditions in the sediment.Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri preferred well sorted muddy sand bottoms andL. udekemianus less well sorted clay bottoms.Tubifex costatus occurred abundantly in intertidal regions. The occurrence of most of the collected oligochaetes was positively correlated with the quantity of organic matter in the sediment.An investigation carried out from 1971 to 1977 to study the development of the macrofaunal community in the fresh Haringvliet-Hollands Diep basin after closure of this basin showed a mass development of Tubificidae. This was related to the high organic matter content in the bottom and the high colonization and reproductive capacity of these worms.It appeared that several species of tubificids coexisted for several years in the same habitat at a roughly constant relative abundance. Several investigators showed a selective feeding of tubificids on certain groups of bacteria. A niche delimitation probably exists through the nature of the food used by these tubificids.A detailed account of the results presented here will be given elsewhere.     

The respiratory responses of Carcinus maenas (L.) to changes in environmental salinity

Exposure of Carcinus to a reduction in salinity is accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption. The highest rates of oxygen consumption are found during the first 2–3 h after a reduction in salinity, after which oxygen consumption then declines, but to a higher than ‘normal’ level which is maintained throughout the period of exposure to low salinity. This augmented rate of oxygen consumption persists even after 3–4 days in water of reduced salinity and indicates that the respiratory rate of Carcinus does not acclimate rapidly to reduced salinity. The increased oxygen consumption is associated with an increase in ventilation volume resulting from an increase in the rate of beating of the scaphognathites, while oxygen utilization remains at a low level. Since the oxygen-transporting properties of the blood of Carcinus show little change under conditions of reduced salinity, the increased oxygen demand of the tissues is met by a rise in cardiac output resulting mainly from an increase in heart rate.     

The environmental effects of salinity and temperature on the oxygen consumption and total body osmolality of the marine flatworm Procerodes littoralis

The present study examined the effect of salinity and temperature on the rate of oxygen consumption and total body osmolality of the triclad turbellarian Procerodes littoralis, a common marine flatworm normally found in areas where freshwater streams run out over intertidal areas. Extremes in environmental factors encountered by P. littoralis were recorded at the study site. These were salinity (0-44 psu), temperature (2.7-24.9 °C) and oxygen concentration (2.8-16.1 mg l⁻¹). Respirometry experiments showed minimal oxygen consumption rates at the salinity extremes encountered by the study species (0 and 40 psu). Further experiments showed relatively constant oxygen consumption rates over the temperature range 5-20 °C and elevated consumption rates at temperatures above 25 °C. Total body osmolality of P. littoralis increased with increasing salinity. The study illustrates how a marine flatworm uses integrated physiological and behavioural mechanisms to successfully inhabit an environment that is predominantly freshwater for up to 75% of the tidal cycle.     

The combined effects of temperature,salinity, and declining oxygen tension on oxygen consumption in the marine pulmonate Amphibola crenata (Gmelin, 1791)

Oxygen consumption of Amphibola crenata (Gmelin) was measured in various salinity-temperature combinations (< 0.1‰ to 41‰ salinity and 5 to 30°C) in air, and following exposure to declining oxygen tensions. In all experimental conditions, respiration varied with the 0.44 power of the body weight (sd = 0.14). The aquatic rate was consistently higher than the aerial rate of oxygen consumption, although at 30 °C the two rates were similar. Oxygen consumption increased with temperature up to 25 °C in all salinities; the lowest values were recorded at temperatures below 10 °C and at 30 °C in the most dilute medium. At all exposure temperatures, the oxygen consumption of Amphibola decreased regularly with salinity down to 0.1 ‰, and following exposure to concentrated sea water (41‰). Salinity had the least effect at 15 °C which was the acclimation temperature. In general, all of the temperature coefficients (Q₁₀ values) were low, < 1.65. However, Q₁₀ values above 2.8 were recorded at a salinity of 17.8‰ between 10 and 15 °C. Oxygen consumption of all size classes of Amphibola was more temperature dependent in air than in water and small individuals show a greater difference between their aerial and aquatic rates than larger snails. The rates of oxygen consumption in declining oxygen tensions were expressed as fractions of the rates in air saturated sea water at each experimental salinity-temperature combination. The quadratic coefficient B₂ becomes increasingly more negative with both decreasing salinity and temperatures up to 20 °C. At higher temperatures (25 and 30 °C) the response is reversed such that O₂ uptake in snails becomes increasingly independent of declining oxygen tensions at higher salinities. On exposure to a salinity of 4‰, Amphibola showed no systematic response to declining oxygen tension with respect to temperature. The ability of Amphibola to maintain its rate of oxygen consumption in a wide range of environmental conditions is discussed in relation to its potential for invading terrestrial habitats and its widespread distribution on New Zealand's intertidal mudflats.     

Oxygen consumption and osmoregulatory capacity in Neomysis integer reduce competition for resources among mysid shrimp in a temperate estuary

Results of field surveys and laboratory measurements of oxygen consumption and body fluid osmolality at different salinities in the mysids Neomysis integer, Mesopodopsis slabberi, and Rhopalophthalmus mediterraneus from the Guadalquivir estuary (southwest Spain) were used to test the hypothesis that osmotic stress (oxygen consumption vs. isosmotic points) was lowest at salinities that field distributions suggest are optimal. The three species showed overlapping spatial distributions within the estuary but clear segregation along the salinity gradient: N. integer, M. slabberi, and R. mediterraneus displayed maximal densities at lower, intermediate, and higher salinities, respectively. Adults of N. integer were extremely efficient hyperregulators (isosmotic point 30 per thousand) over the full salinity range tested (3 per thousand-32 per thousand), and their oxygen consumption rates were independent of salinity; adults of M. slabberi were strong hyper- and hyporegulators at salinities between 7 per thousand and 29 per thousand (isosmotic point, 21 per thousand) and showed higher oxygen consumptions at the lowest salinity (6 per thousand); adults of R. mediterraneus hyperregulated at salinities between 19 per thousand and seawater (isosmotic point, 36 per thousand), with the lowest oxygen consumption at salinity around their isosmotic point (35 per thousand). Thus, the osmoregulation capabilities of M. slabberi and R. mediterraneus seem to determine the salinity ranges in which most of their adults live, but this is not so for adults of N. integer. Moreover, maximal field densities of M. slabberi (males and females) and R. mediterraneus (males) occur at the same salinities as the lowest oxygen consumption. In contrast, field distribution of N. integer was clearly biased toward the lower end of the salinity ranges within which it osmoregulated. We hypothesize that the greater euryhalinity of N. integer makes it possible for this species to avoid competition with R. mediterraneus by inhabiting the more stressful oligohaline zone.     

Morphological and physiological traits of Mediterranean sticklebacks living in the Camargue wetland (Rhone river delta)

Three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) living at the southern limit of the species distribution range could possess specific morphological and physiological traits that enable these fish to live at the threshold of their physiological capacities. Morphological analysis was carried out on samples of sticklebacks living in different saline habitats of the Camargue area (Rhone delta, northern Mediterranean coast) obtained from 1993 to 2017. Salinity acclimation capacities were also investigated using individuals from freshwater-low salinity drainage canals and from mesohaline–euryhaline lagoons. Fish were maintained in laboratory conditions at salinity values close to those of their respective habitats: low salinity (LS, 5‰) or seawater (SW, 30‰). Fish obtained from a mesohaline brackish water lagoon (BW, 15‰) were acclimated to SW or LS. Oxygen consumption rates and branchial Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (NKA) activity (indicator of fish osmoregulatory capacity) were measured in these LS or SW control fish and in individuals subjected to abrupt SW or LS transfers. At all the studied locations, only the low-plated “leiurus” morphotype showed no spatial or temporal variations in their body morphology. Gill rakers were only longer and denser in fish sampled from the LS–freshwater (FW) drainage canals. All fish presented similar physiological capacities. Oxygen consumption rates were not influenced by salinity challenge except in SW fish transferred to LS immediately and 1 h after transfer. However, and as expected, gill NKA activity was salinity dependent. Sticklebacks of the Camargue area sampled from habitats with contrasted saline conditions are homogenously euryhaline, have low oxygen consumption rates and do not appear to experience significantly greater metabolic costs when challenged with salinity. However, an observed difference in gill raker length and density is most probably related to the nutritional condition of their habitat, indicating that individuals can rapidly acclimatize to different diets.     

Factors affecting the distribution of lignicolous marine fungi in Hong Kong

An investigation into the effect of environmental factors on the general distribution and occurrence of lignicolous marine fungi using submerged blocks of pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) and teak (Tectona grandis L.) was carried out for 18 months in the coastal waters of Hong Kong. Five test sites, with environmental conditions varying from estuarine to oceanic, and from polluted to non-polluted, were selected. During each collection, salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate-nitrogen, inorganic phosphate-phosphorus and light transmission were measured. A total of 51 species of fungi were recorded among which only 28 were either obligate or facultative marine forms. Neither the general distribution pattern nor the distribution of the more frequent fungi could be solely accounted for by differences in salinity at the test sites and it is suggested that other ecological factors such as heavy sediments in the waters, low pH, and the presence of an abundant source of inocula may be important.     

Oxygen consumption by Nephrops norvegicus (L.), (Crustacea: Decapoda) in relationship with its moulting stage

The study of the rate of oxygen consumption by Nephrops norvegicius (L.) at each moulting stage has been carried out in closed respiration chambers, using an oxygen electrode to measure the oxygen concentration.Although the mean respiration rate seems to be low when compared with other decapod crustaceans of similar weight, the general trends of the variation of the oxygen consumption during the moulting cycle are similar to those described for other species of decapods. It should be noted that, during the process of the ecdysis, there is no oxygen consumption.     

Effect of oxygen on steady-state product distribution in Bacillus polymyxa fermentations

Bacillus polymyxa ferments glucose to 1-2,3 butanediol, acetoin, ethanol, acetic acid, lactic acid, and formic acid. This research investigates product formation as a function of oxygen availability. A predictive model that simulates product distribution at known oxygen transfer rates is developed on the hypothesis that, in an energy-limited environment, B. polymyxa utilizes glucose and oxygen in the most efficient manner. The efficiency of utilization of glucose and oxygen is measured in terms of the ATP yields of each oxidative pathway. The identity of the products constituting the profile at the given oxygen transfer rate is determined by comparing the ATP production and consumption rates. While the ATP generated is calculated from a knowledge of the oxygen transfer rate and ATP yields of the oxidative pathways, the ATP consumption is estimated by the Pirt expression in terms of growth- and nongrowth-associated components. The product formation rates are obtained by solving ATP and NAD balance equations. They equate the production and consumption rates of these intermediates and are derived from the pseudo-steady-state hypothesis. The model is applied to continuous culture systems that are both open and closed with respect to biomass. At a given oxygen transfer rate, dilution rate, and inlet glucose concentration, the model predicts steady-state concentrations of two dominant fermentation endproducts with the help of four parameters that can be determined from independent experiments. In contrast with earlier approaches, the experimental studies are carried out in continuous culture. Product profiles are obtained at various oxygen transfer rates, fer rates, inlet glucose concentrations, and dilution rates. The effect of pH on the relative distribution of products is also demonstrated. Results indicate that the model is fairly successful in predicting product profiles as a function of oxygen availability. (c) 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Relative influence of bioturbation and predation on organic matter processing in river sediments: a microcosm experiment

1. Our objective was to measure the effects of bioturbation and predation on the physical characteristics and biogeochemical processes in river sediments. 2. We investigated the impacts of tubificid worms tested separately and together with an omnivore (Gammarus pulex), which does feed on tubificids, on sediment distribution, water flux, sediment organic carbon, biofilm biomass and microbial activities, and the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic carbon, PO, NO, NO and NH in slow filtration sand–gravel columns. We hypothesised that gammarids, which exploit the top 2–3 cm of the sediment, would modify the impact of worms at the sediment surface. 3. In experiments both with and without gammarids, bioturbation by the tubificids modified both the distribution of surface particles in the sediment column and water flux. In addition, microbial aerobic (oxygen consumption) and anaerobic (denitrification and fermentative decomposition of organic matter) processes in the sediment were stimulated in the presence of tubificid worms. However, G. pulex did not affect either the density or bioturbation activity of the tubificid worms. 4. Bioturbation by the benthos can be a major process in river habitats, contributing to the retention of organic matter in sediment dynamics. The presence of at least one predator had no effect on bioturbation in sediments. In such systems, physical heterogeneity may be sufficient for tubificids to escape from generalist predators, though more specialised ones might have more effect.     

卵形鲳鲹胚胎及早期仔鱼耗氧量的研究

运用SKW-3微量呼吸仪对卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)胚胎和早期仔鱼的耗氧量进行测定,研究温度、盐度及pH的变化对胚胎耗氧量和Cu²⁺、Cd²⁺等重金属离子对早期仔鱼的耗氧量的影响。结果表明:在(25±0.5)℃条件下,卵形鲳鲹胚胎和早期仔鱼的耗氧量均随着发育时间的延长总体上呈上升的趋势,胚胎耗氧量在出膜前达到最大值,其中以原肠期和出膜期耗氧量变化最为显著。胚胎耗氧量随着温度、盐度、pH的增大而逐渐升高,在水温25℃、盐度35和pH为8时耗氧量到达最大值,随后逐渐减小。随着Cu²⁺浓度的升高,早期仔鱼耗氧量呈先增大后减小,在0.01mg·L^-1时耗氧率最大:胚胎耗氧量随着Cd²⁺浓度的升高而逐渐降低。     

环境因子对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼耗氧率和排氨率的影响

运用封闭流水式实验方法研究温度、盐度、pH和流速对卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)幼鱼耗氧率和排氨率的影响.实验结果表明,随着温度的升高,耗氧率和排氨率均是先增大后减小,当温度为27℃时,耗氧率和排氨率达最大值,温度对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼耗氧率和排氨率的影响显著(P＜0.0l);耗氧率和排氨率随着盐度的升高均出...     

盐度与体重对台湾罗非鱼耗氧率的影响

在盐度为淡水、7、14、2 1、2 8和 35的条件下 ,测定了 3个体重组 (1.5 7～ 4.87g ,7.0 7～ 18.2 3g和31.5 0～ 5 2 .41g)的台湾红罗非鱼的耗氧率 ,方差分析表明 ,盐度对台湾红罗非鱼的耗氧率有极显著的影响(P <0 .0 1) .体重范围为 1.5 7～ 18.2 4g时 ,盐度 7实验组的耗氧率最高 ,分别为 0 .41mgO2 ·g-1·h-1(1.5 7～ 4.78g)和 0 .34mgO2 ·g-1·h-1(7.0 7～ 18.2 3g) ,体重范围为 31.5 0～ 5 2 .41g时 ,耗氧率最高值出现在盐度 35组 ,为 0 .30mgO2 ·g-1·h-1.耗氧率最低值也因体重范围的不同而出现在不同的盐度 ,体重范围为1.5 7～ 4.78g时 ,盐度 14组的耗氧率最低 ,为 0 .2 8mgO2 ·g-1·h-1,体重范围在 7.0 7～ 5 2 .41g时 ,耗氧率的最低值均出现在盐度 2 1组 ,其中体重范围 7.0 7～ 18.2 3g的最低值为 0 .2 2mgO2 ·g-1·h ,而体重范围31 5 0～ 5 2 .41g的最低耗氧率为 0 .13mgO2 ·g-1·h-1.协方差分析表明 ,盐度和体重对台湾红罗非鱼的耗氧率存在极显著的交互作用 (P <0 .0 1) .     

Regulation of photosynthesis and oxygen consumption in a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat (Camargue, France) by irradiance, temperature and salinity

Short-term effects of irradiance (0-1560 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1)), temperature (10-25 degrees C), and salinity (40-160) on oxygenic photosynthesis and oxygen consumption in a hypersaline mat (Salin-de-Giraud, France) were investigated with microsensors under controlled laboratory conditions. Dark O(2) consumption rates were mainly regulated by the mass transfer limitations imposed by the diffusive boundary layer. Areal rates of net photosynthesis increased with irradiance and saturated at irradiances >400 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1). At low irradiances, oxygen consumption increased more strongly with temperature than photosynthesis, whereas the opposite was observed at saturating irradiances. Net photosynthesis vs. irradiance curves were almost unaffected by decreasing salinity (100 to 40), whereas increasing salinities (100 to 160) led to a decrease of net photosynthesis at each irradiance. Dark O(2) consumption rates, maximal gross and net photosynthesis at light saturation were relatively constant over a broad salinity range (60-100) and decreased at salinities above the in situ salinity of 100. Within the range of natural variation, temperature was more important than salinity in regulating photosynthesis and oxygen consumption. At higher salinities the inhibitory impact of salinity on these processes and therefore the importance of salinity as a regulating environmental parameter increased, indicating that in more hypersaline systems, salinity has a stronger limiting effect on microbial activity.     

Effects of Low Salinity on Adult Behavior and Larval Performance in the Intertidal Gastropod Crepipatella peruviana (Calyptraeidae)

Shallow-water coastal areas suffer frequent reductions in salinity due to heavy rains, potentially stressing the organisms found there, particularly the early stages of development (including pelagic larvae). Individual adults and newly hatched larvae of the gastropod Crepipatella peruviana were exposed to different levels of salinity stress (32(control), 25, 20 or 15), to quantify the immediate effects of exposure to low salinities on adult and larval behavior and on the physiological performance of the larvae. For adults we recorded the threshold salinity that initiates brood chamber isolation. For larvae, we measured the impact of reduced salinity on velar surface area, velum activity, swimming velocity, clearance rate (CR), oxygen consumption (OCR), and mortality (LC50); we also documented the impact of salinity discontinuities on the vertical distribution of veliger larvae in the water column. The results indicate that adults will completely isolate themselves from the external environment by clamping firmly against the substrate at salinities ≤24. Moreover, the newly hatched larvae showed increased mortality at lower salinities, while survivors showed decreased velum activity, decreased exposed velum surface area, and decreased mean swimming velocity. The clearance rates and oxygen consumption rates of stressed larvae were significantly lower than those of control individuals. Finally, salinity discontinuities affected the vertical distribution of larvae in the water column. Although adults can protect their embryos from low salinity stress until hatching, salinities <24 clearly affect survival, physiology and behavior in early larval life, which will substantially affect the fitness of the species under declining ambient salinities.     

虎斑乌贼的胚胎耗氧率

为了探究虎斑乌贼胚胎不同发育时期的耗氧率变化和几种生态因子对胚胎发育过程耗氧率的影响,试验采用封闭静水装置,对不同发育时期(12期)的耗氧率进行测定,并研究不同盐度(21、24、27、30、33)、温度(18、21、24、27、30 ℃)和pH(7.0、7.5、8.0、8.5、9.0)对胚胎4个主要发育时期(受精卵期、原肠胚期、器官形成期和内骨骼形成期)耗氧率的影响.结果表明: 胚胎各个发育时期耗氧率不同,随着发育的进程而增大,受精卵期为0.082 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,而到原肠胚期的耗氧率显著升高,为0.279 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,到孵化期时,耗氧率达到1.367 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;盐度对器官形成期和内骨骼形成期的耗氧率均有显著影响(P<0.05),对受精卵期和原肠胚期影响不显著(P>0.05),当盐度为30时,4个发育时期耗氧率均达到最大值,分别为0.082、0.200、0.768和1.301 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;温度对原肠胚期、器官形成期和内骨骼形成期的耗氧率有显著影响(P<0.05),对受精卵期无显著性影响(P>0.05),在27 ℃时,胚胎4个发育时期均达到最大值,分别为0.082、0.286、0.806和1.338 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;而pH对4个发育时期的耗氧率均无显著性影响(P>0.05),受精卵期在pH 8.0时达到最大值,为0.116 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,原肠胚期、器官形成期、内骨骼形成期在pH 8.5时达到最大值,分别为0.281 、0.799和1.130 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1.     

Oxygen consumption in Plasmodium berghei-infected murine red cells: a direct spectrophotometric assay in intact erythrocytes

A spectrophotometric assay has been devised to measure oxygen consumption non-invasively in intact murine red cells parasitized by Plasmodium berghei. The method uses oxyhemoglobin in the erythrocytes both as a source of oxygen and as an indicator of oxygen consumption. Spectra of intact cells show broad peaks and sloping baselines due to light-scattering. In order to ascertain the number of varying components in the 370-450 nm range, the resolution of the spectra was enhanced using Fourier transforms of the frequency domain spectra. Calculation of oxygen consumption was carried out for two-component systems (oxyhemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin) using absorbances at 415 and 431 nm. Samples prepared from highly parasitized mice (greater than 80% parasitemia, 5% hematocrit) showed oxygen consumption rates of (4-8) X 10(-8) microliter/cell per h. This rate was not attributable to the presence of white cells or reticulocytes. The rate of oxygen consumption in the erythrocytes is shown to be modulated by various agents: the respiratory inhibitors NaN3 and KCN (1 mM) reduced oxygen consumption 2-3-fold; salicylhydroxamic acid (2.5 mM) caused a 20% reduction in rate and 10 mM NaN3, completely blocked deoxygenation. Antimalarial drugs and metal-chelating agents were also tested. Chloroquine, EDTA and desferal (desferoxamine mesylate) did not decrease the deoxygenation rate of hemoglobin in parasitized cells. Quinacrine, quinine and primaquine reduced the rate of formation of deoxyhemoglobin but also produced substantial quantities of methemoglobin. The lipophilic chelator, 5-hydroxyquinoline, decreased the rate of deoxygenation one-third. The spectrophotometric assay provides a convenient means to monitor oxygen consumption in parasitized red cells, to test the effects of various agents thereon, and potentially to explore possible mechanisms for oxygen utilization.     

虎斑乌贼的胚胎耗氧率

为了探究虎斑乌贼胚胎不同发育时期的耗氧率变化和几种生态因子对胚胎发育过程耗氧率的影响,试验采用封闭静水装置,对不同发育时期(12期)的耗氧率进行测定,并研究不同盐度(21、24、27、30、33)、温度(18、21、24、27、30 ℃)和pH(7.0、7.5、8.0、8.5、9.0)对胚胎4个主要发育时期(受精卵期、原肠胚期、器官形成期和内骨骼形成期)耗氧率的影响.结果表明: 胚胎各个发育时期耗氧率不同,随着发育的进程而增大,受精卵期为0.082 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,而到原肠胚期的耗氧率显著升高,为0.279 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,到孵化期时,耗氧率达到1.367 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;盐度对器官形成期和内骨骼形成期的耗氧率均有显著影响(P<0.05),对受精卵期和原肠胚期影响不显著(P>0.05),当盐度为30时,4个发育时期耗氧率均达到最大值,分别为0.082、0.200、0.768和1.301 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;温度对原肠胚期、器官形成期和内骨骼形成期的耗氧率有显著影响(P<0.05),对受精卵期无显著性影响(P>0.05),在27 ℃时,胚胎4个发育时期均达到最大值,分别为0.082、0.286、0.806和1.338 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1;而pH对4个发育时期的耗氧率均无显著性影响(P>0.05),受精卵期在pH 8.0时达到最大值,为0.116 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1,原肠胚期、器官形成期、内骨骼形成期在pH 8.5时达到最大值,分别为0.281 、0.799和1.130 mg·(100 eggs)^-1·h^-1.     

The effect of abrupt salinity change on oxygen consumption in crab megalopae of Chincoteague Bay,USA

Variability in salinity is an environmental stressor that crab megalopae encounter as they are carried by tides and currents throughout Chincoteague Bay. We exposed blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and fiddler crab (Uca spp.) megalopae to abrupt salinity changes from 10 to 31 ppt and measured their oxygen usage. It was hypothesized that the megalopae would cope with the changes in a manner reflective of the documented abilities and tolerances of adult crabs. It was also hypothesized that lower salinities would have a particularly detrimental effect on the megalopae reflected by both increased oxygen usage and mortality. The megalopae of both species did exhibit an increase in oxygen use at lower salinities, although the effect was more pronounced during the initial transition and decreased during acclimation. The megalopae mirrored the adult responses, with blue crab larvae consuming more oxygen per mg of wet weight at lower salinities, whereas fiddler crab larval oxygen consumption was relatively uniform at all salinities. Mortality of some blue crab postlarvae was observed at 10 ppt while all larval fiddler crabs survived. Coupled with the introduction of additional fresh water into the global water system, these results indicate that further investigation into this subject is necessary.